Method for obtaining solid culture of Zang Zhi (Antodia camphorate)

ABSTRACT

An incubation method for obtaining solid culture of Zang Zhi ( Antrodia camphorata ) including the steps of: incubating a stock strain of Zang Zhi in a PP bag for growth of mycelia, followed by an incubation in the air for fruiting the Zang Zhi body.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/023,362 filed on Dec. 14, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,517.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Zang Zhi is a kind of fungus. Its academic name is Antrodia camphorata, also known as “Zang ku”, “red Zang Zhi”, “niou Zang Zhi” or “niou Zang ku.” In Taiwan, Zang Zhi only grows on the inner wall of the empty rotting trunk of Cinnamomum kanehirai in the shape of a platy or bell and has a strong cinnamon flavor. People say that Zang Zhi can tranquilize, prevent or treat a cold, promote vital energy circulation, remove blood stasis, promote blood circulation, relieve dyspepsia, detoxify and promote the subsidence of swelling, calm the nerves to reduce stress, alleviate pain, and is the best anticorrosive and detoxicant. It is considered the most expensive wild fungus in the market on Taiwan. The mechanism of anti-tumor cells of Zang Zhi is different from that of Ganoderma sp., which indirectly promotes immunity against tumors. Zang Zhi can directly inhibit or kill cancer cells, and has the capacity to strengthen the heart, adjust immunity, and antagonize the parasympathetic nervous system, and has serous activity. In particular, Zang Zhi can cure a stomachache, bowelache, nausea, diabetes, gout, arthritis, fever, allergy, exorbitant urine proteins, uremia, cirrhosis, hepatomia, flu, etc. Many research institutions have invested human resources and materials in the study of the active constituents of Zang Zhi. Among them, the National Science Council of the Executive Yuan has a special research project to make use of chemical methods, NMR spectrum analysis, and comparative spectrum with known materials to establish the constitutive characteristics of active constituents. Research results of the active constituents show that the water and methanol extracts of Zang Zhi are effective on the inhibition of the growth of Streptococcus aureus and Trichophytone mentagrophytes. Zhankuic acid A, a methanol extract of Zang Zhi has conspicuous inhibition to the lymphoma cells of a p-388 mouse and agglutination of blood platelets. Zhankuic acid B, however, shows little anticholinergic and anti-serotonin effect.

It is indicated in Gau Sheau Jy's masters thesis on the triterpenoid of Zang Zhi that Zang Zhi is a new species of Ganoderma discovered in 1990. The extract of the solid fruiting body is obtained by use of acetone, and then is separated and recrystallized with chromatography LC and PLC. The purity of the extract is identified by TLC scanning and HPLC. The configuration test is done with mass spectrum, infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, H-NMR, and C-NMR. 3,11-dioxo-8,23-dien-26-oic acid can reduce GPT in the blood of a mouse with the acute hepatitis induced by CCl₄.

Most of Zang Zhi grows in the broad-leaf forest areas in Taiwan's East Coast Mountain Range. However, according to the bulletin of the Niou Zang Conservation Notice issued by the Taiwan Forestry Bureau, this mountain range has been listed as a natural resources conservation zone. Since Zang Zhi is a very popular product which most people are willing to purchase in Asia, Zang Zhi growing outside the said zone have been almost completely harvested. In fact, wild Zang Zhi are not available in the local markets.

With an estimated sale of 500 kg Zang Zhi per month in Taiwan, the requirement to provide an incubation method for solid culture of Zang Zhi has become more important in recent years.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the subject invention is to provide an incubation method for solid culture of Zang Zhi. The cultured Zang Zhi will have the same pharmaceutical efficacy as the wild one does.

The other objective of this invention is to provide a solid culture of Zang Zhi by use of the inoculums of Zang Zhi spawn preserved in the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (Taiwan), coded CCRC 35398, to incubate the solid culture in accordance with the incubation method.

Another objective of the invention is to provide the processed products of the solid cultured Zang Zhi.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a solid cultured Zang Zhi useful as active constituents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A–1C illustrate comparative analysis of the HPLC of constituents of a Zang Zhi, including (A) the fruiting body of cultured Zang Zhi according to the invention, (B) the liquid culture of Zang Zhi and (C) the fruiting body of wild Zang Zhi.

FIG. 2 illustrates the use of ferrous ions to stimulate the homogenization of mouse brain to cause the free radical peroxidative reaction of lipid, which will result in increasing of the TBARS (peroxidative constituents of lipid). Comparing the triple fold with the eight fold of concentrated extract of Zang Zhi fruiting body cultured according to the invention, we note that the increase inhibition of the peroxidative reaction will vary with the increased of the concentration, that is shown by the percentage of inhibition of per oxidative reaction (n=3).

FIG. 3 shows the effect of different concentrations of extract of Zang Zhi on the active change of GTP for measurement of liver function. # represents the statistical difference between the normal group and the injury group (P<0.01); *represents the statistical difference between the feed group and the injury group (P<0.01). Value is represented by average ± standard error.

FIG. 4 shows the effect of different concentrations of Zang Zhi extract on the active change of GOT for the biochemical measurement of liver function. # represents the statistical difference between a normal group and an injury group (P<0.01); * represents the statistical difference between the feed group and the injury group (P<0.01). Value is represented by average ± standard error.

FIG. 5 shows the effect of an extract of Zang Zhi powder on the growth of bowel cancer cell (COLO 320 HSR).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a method for the solid culture of Zang Zhi, in order to produce the Zang Zhi fruiting body with the constituents and vitality of wild Zang Zhis. The invention's method for the solid culture of Zang Zhi is to culture the spawn of Zang Zhi through “Bag Log” cultivation, and then to produce the fruiting body of Zang Zhi in the air.

Before the phase of mycelium culture, it is usual to greatly multiply the spawn for “Bag Log” cultivation, including the following three steps: (1) taking a piece of medium agar containing hyphae preserved in liquid nitrogen, and transfer it into a fresh medium to culture under constant temperature until the exuberant growth of mycelium appears; (2) inoculating the spawn into the “Bag Log” containing cellulolytic substance (for example kernel or spelk); (3) removing the supra old hyphae until the hyphae overgrows in the “Bag Log”; and (4) then inoculating the multiplied spawn into “Bag Log”.

Before the phase of mycelium culture, one also can greatly multiply spawn with the liquid culture fermentation, and then inoculate them into “Bag Log”. The formulation of liquid culture fermentation is 1–3% of fructose, 0.01–0.1% of magnesium sulfate, 0.1–1% of yeast extract, and 0.05–0.5% of potassium phosphate. The best formulation of liquid culture fermentation followed was 2% of fructose, 0.05% of magnesium sulfate, 0.5% of yeast extract, and 0.1% of potassium phosphate. (The percentages of the components described in this specification are “weight percentage,” except that the percentages described for the gaseous components are “volume percentages.”)

After culturing the slide tube, one may inoculate the multiplied spawn into a 5 liter liquid culture for fermentation under 24–26° C., 240 rpm oscillation for 14 days, and then 90 rpm oscillation for 14 days, and then inoculate them into a 20 liter liquid fermentation, stirring culture for 14 days.

Here, the so-called “Bag Log” is the plastic bag made from 10–70% of cellulolytic material of stem, stalk, fruit, or spelk of any mushroom or plant (especially, the stems, stalks, and fruits of grass plants or even cellulolytic spelk are better), 10–30% of starch resource (especially, potato is better), and 5–15% of millet (rice bran is better), 1–10% of saccharides (glucose is better), 0.5–2% of phosphate (potassium phosphate is better), and 0.1–1% of sulfate salt (magnesium sulfate is better). Relative humidity is maintained at 60–90%, better at 80%. The pH value of the culture medium is adjusted to be neutral.

The phase of mycelium culture indicated in this text means a period of sixty days after the spawn is inoculated into “Bag Log”. Mycelium will grow at a temperature from 5° to 32° C.; in particular, 28° C. is the best temperature for the growth of mycelium. “Bag Log” cultivation is under way at a relative humidity of about 60–80%, and better at about 80%. As to the condition of air, 0.1–1% of carbon dioxide is better for the culture.

After the phase of mycelium culture, the phase of the culture of the fruiting body is next. That is to say 61–90 days after the date of the inoculation of the spawn, the plastic bag of “Bag Log” is to be removed to let the sawdust medium be completely exposed to the air. During the phase of the culture of the fruiting body, the difference between day and night temperature has to be under strict control. Day temperature is generally maintained between 20° and 30° C., especially, better at 25±1° C.; night temperature is better maintained at 11±1° C.; the difference between day and night temperature is better maintained at 15° C. The relative humidity at the phase of fruiting body culture is controlled between 90 and 95%. In addition, the fruiting body has to be cultured in the moving air, and the carbon dioxide is less than 1%. Generally, solid culture material will be collected after 90–120 days.

The strain CCRC35398 spawn used in this invention can be obtained from the Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Taiwan. According to the solid culture method of this invention, a solid culture substance was obtained. The solid culture substance is conoid, about 10–30 cm in diameter, 15–30 cm in height, and 0.2–0.6 kg in weight.

To use the solid culture method described above, one can get the solid Zang Zhi. The solid Zang Zhi can be produced by any of the processing methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, water or alcohol can be used to extract the active constituents, and then known concentration methods such as vacuum concentration or freeze concentration can be used to produce the concentrated product.

One can use the dehydrated method to do the dehydration, or by a spray-dry or lyophilization method. However, the lyophilization method is the best one to dehydrate the solid substance, and during dehydration the solid substance will not change its characteristic by the effect of oxygen.

The microscopic particles produced by the spray-dry or other dehydration method can be agglomerated to increase their diameters. These products are poremeric particles with good wettability.

The comparative HPLC spectrum of the invention's solid culture Zang Zhi, known liquid cultured Zang Zhi, and wild Zang Zhi is shown in FIGS. 1A–C. By analysis of HPLC, the constituents of the fruiting body obtained through the invention's culture method are similar to those of the wild Zang Zhi and the invention's Zang Zhi has the activities and functions similar to the wild Zang Zhi's. These activities and functions include tranquilization, prevention from or treatment of a cold, promoting vital energy circulation, removing blood stasis, promoting blood circulation, relieving dyspepsia, detoxifying and promoting the subsidence of swelling, calming the nerves to reduce stress, alleviating pain, inhibiting bacteria and virus and cancer cells, strengthening the heart, adjusting immunity, and antagonizing the parasympathetic nervous system and serous activity. Zang Zhi can cure a stomachache and bowel ache, nausea, diabetes, gout, arthritis, infection, allergy, exorbitant urine proteins, uremia, cirrhosis, hepatomia, flu and so on. Zang Zhi can regenerate skin and act as human skin or callus material, or as adhesive for bedsore or traumatic skin.

Furthermore, the invention's solid cultured substance possesses the abilities to antagonize the free radicals and peroxidation of lipids, and functions to protect the liver and inhibit cancer cells. The invention's solid cultured substance can be taken as health food to prolong life, and be further developed into new medicines.

The following working examples will further explain this invention, but not limit this invention. Any application or modification of this invention made by persons skilled in these techniques will fall in the scope of this invention.

WORKING EXAMPLES

The strain CCRC35398 spawn obtained from the Food Industry Research and Development Institute were grown by ferment liquid culture, and then inoculated into the “Bag Log”. The fermented liquid culture contains 2% of fructose, 0.05% of magnesium sulfate, 0.5% of yeast extract, and 0.1% of potassium phosphate. “Bag Log” cultivation is to culture mycelium. “Bag Log” is composed of 65% of the stems, stalks, fruits of grass plants or cellulolytic spelk, 20% of potato, 10% of rice bran, 3.5% of glucose, 1% of potassium phosphate, and 0.5% of magnesium sulfate. Adjust the relative humidity to 80% and pH to 7. Relative humidity was maintained at 60–90%, better at 80%, and the pH of the culture medium was adjusted to being neutral.

The period of mycelium culture is 60 days after the spawn was inoculated into “Bag Log”. Mycelium will grow at a temperature between 5° and 32° C.; 28° C. is the optimal temperature for the growth of mycelium. “Bag Log” humidity is at 80%, and air condition is 0.2–1% of carbon dioxide.

After the phase of the mycelium culture, the phase of the culture of the fruiting body is on, that is to say 61–90 days after the date of inoculation of the spawn, the plastic bag of “Bag Log” is to be removed, to let the sawdust medium be completely exposed in the air. During the phase of the culture of the fruiting body, the difference between day and night temperature has to be under strict control. Day temperature is generally maintained between 20° and 30° C.; night temperature is better maintained at 11±1° C.; the difference between day and night temperature is better maintained at 15° EC. The relative humidity of the phase of the fruiting body culture is controlled between 90 and 95%. In addition, the fruiting body has to be cultured in the moving air, and the carbon dioxide is less than 1%.

In 90–120 days, when the conoid fruiting body grows up to 15 cm in diameter and 25 cm in height, the solid-cultured substance will be collected, and then the substance is about 0.4 kg in weight. The HPLC spectrum of major active elements—triterpenoid—is shown in FIG. 1(1), and the measurements are shown in the following Table 1.

TABLE 1 Table 1, Data of HPLC analysis of the invention's Zang Zhi fruiting body retention area relative conc ingredient No. time (uv * sec) area % height height % conc unit basline name 1 2.060 27958870 9.3018 1000.279 6.5362 0.0000 PV 2 2.547 6320387 2.1028 999.303 6.5299 0.0000 VV 3 2.663 6333234 2.1070 999.158 6.5289 0.0000 VV 4 2.823 13521140 4.4986 998.886 6.5271 0.0000 VV 5 3.117 3933511 1.3087 328.263 2.1450 0.0000 VV 6 3.413 4614312 1.5352 303.141 1.9808 0.0000 VV 7 3.673 2519874 0.6364 162.126 1.1901 0.0000 VV 8 3.973 2084553 0.6935 144.477 0.9441 0.0000 VV 9 4.367 4265639 1.4192 149.458 0.9766 0.0000 VV 10 5.150 7601131 2.5289 460.320 3.0079 0.0000 VV 11 5.773 1671478 0.5561 71.212 0.4657 0.0000 VB 12 6.043 441685 0.1469 54.184 0.3541 0.0000 VV 13 6.360 1264481 0.4207 62.749 0.4100 0.0000 VV 14 6.597 1359149 0.4522 58.680 0.3834 0.0000 VV 15 7.263 1946283 0.6475 56.407 0.3686 0.0000 VV 16 7.660 517391 0.1721 43.081 0.2815 0.0000 VV 17 8.167 5862269 1.9504 317.837 2.0769 0.0000 VV 18 8.983 932610 0.3103 29.915 0.1955 0.0000 VV 19 9.990 1253931 0.4172 34.691 0.2267 0.0000 VV 20 10.343 538013 0.1790 22.699 0.1496 0.0000 VV 21 10.623 164318 0.0547 12.337 0.0806 0.0000 VV 22 11.327 1233415 0.4104 29.716 0.1942 0.0000 VV 23 12.193 628302 0.2090 19.256 0.1258 0.0000 VV 24 12.990 1259055 0.4189 37.378 0.2442 0.0000 VP 25 14.810 2962581 0.9923 80.403 0.5254 0.0000 PP 26 17.313 2521967 0.8390 68.342 0.4466 0.0000 PV 27 18.113 627346 0.2087 19.934 0.1303 0.0000 VV 28 18.990 117339 0.0390 4.690 0.0306 0.0000 VV 29 19.867 663514 0.2207 20.198 0.1320 0.0000 VV 30 20.867 2932057 0.9755 52.760 0.3448 0.0000 VV 31 22.323 252149 0.0839 9.636 0.0630 0.0000 VV 32 23.080 3131662 1.0419 79.476 0.5193 0.0000 VV 33 23.960 1130632 0.3762 31.023 0.2027 0.0000 VV 34 25.857 4135840 1.3760 78.025 0.5098 0.0000 VV 35 26.910 1070268 0.3561 22.420 0.1465 0.0000 VP 36 28.940 2127664 0.7079 44.217 0.2889 0.0000 PV 37 30.503 15997700 5.3224 304.306 1.9685 0.0000 VP 38 33.793 5256445 1.7488 92.365 0.6036 0.0000 PV 39 35.573 462920 0.1540 6.405 0.0549 0.0000 VV 40 37.360 4416830 1.4695 79.089 0.5168 0.0000 VP 41 39.193 261669 0.0871 5.522 0.0361 0.0000 PV 42 41.267 4411946 1.4678 73.326 0.4791 0.0000 VV 43 42.667 2821209 0.9386 50.936 0.3328 0.0000 VV 44 44.323 36608 0.0122 1.071 0.0070 0.0000 VP 45 46.630 10087950 3.3562 134.950 0.6818 0.0000 PP 46 50.090 333401 0.1109 4.502 0.0294 0.0000 PV 47 52.383 4896649 1.6291 60.376 0.3845 0.0000 PP 48 55.260 124357 0.0414 2.047 0.0134 0.0000 PV 49 56.593 4986938 1.6591 340.488 2.2249 0.0000 VV 50 56.953 7314754 2.4336 625.513 4.0874 0.0000 VV 51 57.290 4586732 1.5260 463.196 3.0267 0.0000 VV 52 57.800 3699586 1.2308 189.756 1.2399 0.0000 VV 53 58.087 1056124 0.3316 116.120 0.7716 0.0000 VV 54 58.477 2468879 0.8214 134.218 0.8770 0.0000 VV 55 56.690 1982234 0.6595 157.526 1.0293 0.0000 VV 56 58.927 1445816 0.4810 124.637 0.8157 0.0000 VV 57 59.210 3138696 1.0442 171.327 1.1195 0.0000 VV 58 59.520 1098725 0.3655 69.794 0.5867 0.0000 VV 59 59.840 1481909 0.4930 102.506 0.6698 0.0000 VV 60 60.093 3406697 1.1334 202.433 1.3228 0.0000 VV 61 60.483 1645084 0.5473 104.449 0.6825 0.0000 VV 62 60.980 10587770 3.5225 757.281 4.9484 0.0000 VV 63 61.403 1626563 0.5412 117.086 0.7651 0.0000 VV 64 61.700 856049 0.2848 79.162 0.5173 0.0000 VV 65 61.907 1498212 0.4984 88.354 0.5773 0.0000 VV 66 62.297 7358936 1.4483 538.464 3.5185 0.0000 VV 67 62.713 1007688 0.3353 74.731 0.5014 0.0000 VV 68 82.980 953127 0.3171 76.873 0.5023 0.0000 VV 69 62.187 1992004 0.6627 69.898 0.4567 0.0000 VV 70 63.603 776093 0.2582 55.283 0.3612 0.0000 VV 71 64.203 6164886 2.0510 515.260 3.3668 0.0000 VV 72 64.537 761873 0.2535 72.303 0.4725 0.0000 VV 73 64.773 2147592 0.7145 124.955 0.6165 0.0000 VV 74 65.287 2333203 0.7762 110.636 0.7229 0.0000 VV 75 65.987 1814540 0.6037 53.283 0.3482 0.0000 VV 76 66.627 1221936 0.4065 56.684 0.3704 0.0000 VV 77 67.103 1666644 0.5545 61.135 0.5302 0.0000 VV 78 67.617 1226534 0.4081 46.888 0.3064 0.0000 VV 79 66.340 3797130 1.2633 106.221 0.7072 0.0000 VV 80 66.910 3980780 1.3244 176.942 1.1562 0.0000 VV 81 69.637 2559917 0.8517 76.359 0.4990 0.0000 VV 82 70.970 680358 0.2264 16.357 0.1069 0.0000 VV 83 71.683 264668 0.0881 12.546 0.0820 0.0000 VV 84 72.387 686349 0.2283 14.902 0.0974 0.0000 VV 85 73.070 513554 0.1709 13.848 0.0905 0.0000 VV 86 73.730 419796 0.1397 9.953 0.0650 0.0000 VV 87 74.950 357733 0.1190 12.698 0.0830 0.0000 VV 88 75.373 465804 0.1550 15.474 0.1011 0.0000 VV 89 76.253 356155 0.1185 10.162 0.0664 0.0000 VV 90 77.137 133340 0.0444 4.645 0.0304 0.0000 VV 91 77.850 272953 0.0905 11.805 0.0771 0.0000 VV 92 78.420 752946 0.2505 30.824 0.2014 0.0000 VV 93 78.690 869866 0.2694 31.809 0.2079 0.0000 VV 94 79.653 66206 0.0220 2.235 0.0146 0.0000 VP 95 80.730 79648 0.0265 2.862 0.0187 0.0000 PP 96 81.753 27502 0.0091 1.070 0.0070 0.0000 PP 97 83.147 186611 0.0621 4.143 0.0271 0.0000 PV 98 83.923 293714 0.0977 9.081 0.0593 0.0000 VV 99 84.520 361025 0.1201 9.061 0.0592 0.0000 VV 100 85.820 820423 0.2730 29.144 0.1804 0.0000 VV 101 86.260 1531752 0.5096 35.708 0.2333 0.0000 VV 102 87.803 1945022 0.6471 51.978 0.3396 0.0000 VV 103 89.500 271109 0.0902 7.353 0.0480 0.0000 VP 104 90.883 26832 0.0089 0.533 0.0035 0.0000 PP 105 92.080 55385 0.0184 1.398 0.0091 0.0000 PP 106 96.443 3758662 1.2505 52.867 0.3455 0.0000 PP 107 100.237 94066 0.0323 1.137 0.0074 0.0000 PP 108 106.650 1435702 0.4777 41.107 0.2686 0.0000 PV 109 107.300 1158655 0.3855 55.895 0.3652 0.0000 VV 110 107.720 1487062 0.4947 72.435 0.4668 0.0000 VV 111 108.190 709049 0.2359 37.254 0.2434 0.0000 VV 112 108.493 818254 0.2722 38.627 0.2524 0.0000 VV 113 109.013 631416 0.2101 35.016 0.2288 0.0000 VV 114 109.507 1010362 0.3361 33.653 0.2199 0.0000 VV 115 109.900 446664 0.1486 27.863 0.1821 0.0000 VV 116 110.160 598899 0.1993 33.360 0.2180 0.0000 VV 117 110.493 840683 0.2797 57.202 0.3738 0.0000 VV 118 111.023 2135668 0.7105 103.717 0.6777 0.0000 VV 119 111.450 547756 0.1822 42.196 0.2757 0.0000 VV 120 111.833 1597280 0.5314 56.890 0.3717 0.0000 VV 121 112.473 967994 0.3220 55.981 0.3658 0.0000 VV 122 112.607 679050 0.2259 59.614 0.3895 0.0000 VV 123 112.820 536941 0.1786 49.913 0.3261 0.0000 VV 124 113.067 987108 0.3284 35.926 0.2348 0.0000 VV 125 113.807 1383823 0.4604 34.665 0.2265 0.0000 VV 126 114.563 1002529 0.3333 36.357 0.2376 0.0000 VV 127 114.970 520199 0.1731 24.136 0.1577 0.0000 VV 128 115.540 1143580 0.3805 28.119 0.1837 0.0000 VV 129 116.577 338258 0.1125 11.209 0.0732 0.0000 VV 130 117.017 176187 0.0586 8.880 0.0580 0.0000 VV 131 117.400 169393 0.0564 8.586 0.0561 0.0000 VV 132 118.133 518740 0.1726 11.014 0.0720 0.0000 VV 133 118.763 134439 0.0447 7.091 0.0463 0.0000 VV 134 119.237 368278 0.1225 10.127 0.0662 0.0000 VP 135 121.140 64584 0.0215 2.560 0.0167 0.0000 PV 136 121.620 185059 0.0616 6.282 0.0410 0.0000 VV 137 122.620 30314 0.0101 1.935 0.0126 0.0000 VV 138 123.090 254238 0.0846 6.468 0.0553 0.0000 VV 139 124.110 141072 0.0469 6.206 0.0406 0.0000 VP 140 125.877 378418 0.1259 7.976 0.0521 0.0000 PP 141 127.977 27554 0.0092 1.016 0.0066 0.0000 PP 142 129.813 187915 0.0625 9.937 0.0649 0.0000 PP total 300574826 15303.60 0.0000

The differences between the invention's Zang Zhi fruiting body, other cultural methods and liquid cultural method were compared by the analysis of HPLC. The HPLC spectra—are shown in FIG. 1(2)–(3); and the measurements are shown in Table 2 and Table 3. These spectra show that the invention's Zang Zhi fruiting body and wild Zang Zhi have the same shape of peak, and also show that the invention's cultured Zang Zhi fruiting body and that of wild Zang Zhi have the same activities and functions.

TABLE 2 Table 2. HPLC spectrum figure of liquid cultured Zang Zhi retention area relative conc ingredient No. time (uv * sec) area % height height % conc unit basline name 1 1.620 262998 1.2184 38.745 2.2045 0.0000 PV 2 1.357 8294342 38.4242 660.685 37.5912 0.0000 VV 3 2.520 5417476 25.0969 726.398 41.3301 0.0000 VV 4 2.820 1692534 7.8413 99.406 5.6559 0.0000 VV 5 3.790 731157 3.3871 23.209 1.3205 0.0000 VB 6 4.123 271974 1.2599 11.713 0.6664 0.0000 BV 7 4.623 154068 0.7137 7.810 0.4444 0.0000 VV 8 5.023 154230 0.7145 4.580 0.2606 0.0000 VV 9 5.897 29822 0.1382 1.652 0.0940 0.0000 VP 10 7.360 150572 0.6975 5.210 0.2964 0.0000 PP 11 9.210 123419 0.5717 3.914 0.2227 0.0000 PP 12 11.930 130807 0.6060 3.563 0.2027 0.0000 PV 13 12.740 37712 0.1747 1.232 0.0701 0.0000 VP 14 15.103 504463 2.3370 11.048 0.6286 0.0000 PP 15 16.890 143477 0.6647 3.512 0.1998 0.0000 PP 16 19.350 56860 0.2634 1.827 0.1039 0.0000 PP 17 23.510 806878 3.7379 11.274 0.6415 0.0000 PP 18 27.157 92042 0.4264 1.224 0.0696 0.0000 PP 19 30.633 144285 0.6684 2.243 0.1276 0.0000 PP 20 33.747 239568 1.3414 3.947 0.2245 0.0000 PP 21 38.727 250488 1.1604 3.231 0.1839 0.0000 PP 22 41.340 61644 0.2956 0.771 0.0438 0.0000 PP 23 43.727 29928 0.1386 0.470 0.0267 0.0000 PP 24 57.047 112074 0.5192 9.096 0.5175 0.0000 PV 25 57.433 175711 0.8140 10.275 0.5846 0.0000 VV 26 57.907 107598 0.4985 4.508 0.2565 0.0000 VV 27 58.137 25810 0.1196 2.279 0.1296 0.0000 VP 28 61.380 23245 0.1077 2.024 0.1152 0.0000 PV 29 62.743 196612 0.9108 21.767 1.2385 0.0000 VV 30 64.223 30411 0.1409 2.094 0.1192 0.0000 PV 31 64.717 441196 2.0439 41.620 2.3681 0.0000 VV 32 64.997 48524 0.2248 4.870 0.2771 0.0000 VV 33 65.420 40354 0.1869 3.529 0.2008 0.0000 VV 34 65.833 67766 0.3139 3.823 0.2175 0.0000 VP 35 66.950 21298 0.0987 1.691 0.0962 0.0000 PP 36 67.773 32193 0.1491 1.708 0.0972 0.0000 PP 37 79.013 29414 0.1363 0.920 0.0523 0.0000 PP 38 97.297 21884 0.1014 0.456 0.0260 0.0000 PP 39 100.053 39474 0.1782 0.738 0.0420 0.0000 PP 40 104.457 126686 0.5869 2.358 0.1342 0.0000 PP 41 107.010 57252 0.2652 2.113 0.1202 0.0000 PP 42 111.397 35854 0.1661 4.236 0.2410 0.0000 VV 43 111.813 23337 0.1313 2.512 0.1429 0.0000 VP 44 113.790 25408 0.1177 1.810 0.1030 0.0000 VP 45 115.883 43858 0.2032 3.808 0.2167 0.0000 PV 46 119.590 25451 0.1179 1.656 0.0942 0.0000 PP total 21586254 1757.553 0.0000

TABLE 3 Table 3. HPLC spectrum figure of wild Zang Zhi retention area relative conc ingredient No. time (uv * sec) area % height height % conc unit basline name 1 1.550 1332009 0.5787 162.045 1.1488 0.0000 PV 2 1.913 12708000 5.5210 797.430 5.6535 0.0000 VV 3 2.607 7990504 3.4715 374.149 2.6526 0.0000 VV 4 2.997 3336181 1.4494 151.464 1.0738 0.0000 VV 5 3.480 827969 0.3597 90.536 0.6419 0.0000 VV 6 3.687 2100942 0.9127 89.231 0.6326 0.0000 VV 7 4.110 1565375 0.7235 80.468 0.5705 0.0000 VV 8 4.590 986857 0.4287 61.543 0.4363 0.0000 VV 9 4.857 1300649 0.5651 59.445 0.4214 0.0000 VV 10 5.377 620409 0.2695 37.086 0.2529 0.0000 VV 11 5.623 712514 0.3095 37.666 0.2670 0.0000 VV 12 6.020 517412 0.2682 32.787 0.2324 0.0000 VV 13 6.347 380678 0.1654 24.939 0.1768 0.0000 VV 14 6.660 622333 0.2704 24.053 0.1705 0.0000 VV 15 7.060 557302 0.2421 18.364 0.1302 0.0000 VV 16 7.710 585765 0.2545 27.106 0.1922 0.0000 VV 17 8.353 276221 0.1200 10.957 0.0777 0.0000 VV 18 8.867 379887 0.1650 19.904 0.1411 0.0000 VV 19 9.327 316284 0.1374 21.157 0.1500 0.0000 VV 20 9.623 72943 0.0315 4.914 0.0348 0.0000 VV 21 10.593 120581 0.0524 6.584 0.0457 0.0000 PP 22 11.260 57846 0.0251 2.283 0.0162 0.0000 PV 23 11.747 32476 0.0141 2.199 0.0156 0.0000 VV 24 12.263 209326 0.0909 11.437 0.0811 0.0000 VV 25 12.837 131315 0.0570 6.603 0.0468 0.0000 VV 26 13.733 270732 0.1176 7.438 0.0527 0.0000 VP 27 15.300 156380 0.0679 6.542 0.0464 0.0000 PP 28 17.513 346774 0.1507 10.369 0.0735 0.0000 PV 29 18.270 1011777 0.4396 25.904 0.1837 0.0000 VV 30 19.863 298337 0.1296 7.175 0.0509 0.0000 VP 31 21.567 237547 0.1032 6.715 0.0476 0.0000 VV 32 22.657 261555 0.1136 7.129 0.0505 0.0000 VV 33 23.960 419821 0.1824 8.165 0.0579 0.0000 VP 34 26.780 1014237 0.4405 20.361 0.1444 0.0000 PP 35 29.320 4482109 1.9472 103.960 0.7370 0.0000 PP 36 32.017 6999710 3.0410 156.204 1.1074 0.0000 PV 37 33.343 399151 0.1734 8.733 0.0619 0.0000 VP 38 35.053 97125 0.0422 2.428 0.0172 0.0000 PV 39 37.007 3062612 1.3305 45.150 0.3272 0.0000 VP 40 39.587 832484 0.3617 15.925 0.1129 0.0000 PV 41 40.897 2411303 1.0476 30.354 0.2152 0.0000 VP 42 43.503 94412 0.0410 2.102 0.0149 0.0000 PP 43 46.093 950329 0.4129 12.948 0.0918 0.0000 PP 44 47.820 29686 0.0129 0.697 0.0049 0.0000 PP 45 51.273 22016 0.0096 0.505 0.0036 0.0000 PP 46 53.253 391511 0.1701 6.542 0.0464 0.0000 PP 47 55.177 418679 0.1819 6.082 0.0431 0.0000 PP 48 57.243 3988680 1.7329 240.883 1.7078 0.0000 PV 49 57.500 4155318 1.8053 345.611 2.4503 0.0000 VV 50 57.787 3545656 1.5404 257.829 1.8279 0.0000 VV 51 58.010 1206951 0.5244 175.620 1.2451 0.0000 VV 52 58.257 2986313 1.2974 222.955 1.5807 0.0000 VV 53 58.400 5093407 2.2128 431.601 3.0599 0.0000 VV 54 58.673 2540255 1.1036 286.541 2.0315 0.0000 VV 55 58.943 5661787 2.4597 471.025 3.3394 0.0000 VV 56 59.233 2400643 1.0430 197.347 1.3991 0.0000 VV 57 59.543 3531683 1.5343 200.445 1.4211 0.0000 VV 58 59.850 2228945 0.9684 164.165 1.1639 0.0000 VV 59 60.060 2828869 1.2290 335.781 2.3806 0.0000 VV 60 60.410 17547630 7.6235 994.818 7.0529 0.0000 VV 61 60.743 13833800 6.0101 994.628 7.0516 0.0000 VV 62 60.920 9930270 4.3142 941.167 6.6726 0.0000 VV 63 61.343 3601150 1.5645 265.761 1.8842 0.0000 VV 64 61.723 6048523 2.6278 525.238 3.7238 0.0000 VV 65 62.127 2249845 0.9774 160.527 1.1381 0.0000 VV 66 62.357 2849680 1.2380 152.131 1.0786 0.0000 VV 67 63.207 11335680 4.9248 886.220 6.2830 0.0000 VV 68 63.460 3758158 1.6227 214.751 1.5225 0.0000 VV 69 64.087 17403430 7.5609 992.676 7.0377 0.0000 VV 70 64.807 6379895 2.7717 332.965 2.3606 0.0000 VV 71 65.487 1105522 0.4803 48.756 0.3457 0.0000 VV 72 66.060 1061718 0.4613 41.562 0.2947 0.0000 VV 73 66.490 1903467 0.8270 65.469 0.4642 0.0000 VV 74 67.563 1016818 0.4418 30.915 0.2192 0.0000 VV 75 68.387 1511594 0.6567 37.104 0.2631 0.0000 VV 76 69.390 10743430 4.6675 526.207 3.7306 0.0000 VV 77 70.583 358833 0.1559 13.087 0.0928 0.0000 VV 78 71.257 2732845 1.1873 127.212 0.9019 0.0000 VV 79 72.317 237862 0.1033 7.948 0.0553 0.0000 VV 80 72.730 245290 0.1066 6.784 0.0481 0.0000 VV 81 73.783 87523 0.0380 3.200 0.0227 0.0000 VV 82 74.250 127009 0.0552 4.136 0.0293 0.0000 VV 83 74.890 86115 0.0374 2.980 0.0211 0.0000 VP 84 75.973 29738 0.0125 1.165 0.0083 0.0000 PP 85 77.503 92275 0.0401 1.898 0.0135 0.0000 PP 86 80.060 508744 0.2210 11.408 0.0809 0.0000 PP 87 82.200 28158 0.0122 0.871 0.0062 0.0000 PP 88 84.293 79909 0.0347 1.534 0.0109 0.0000 PP 89 87.500 1092447 0.4746 24.011 0.1702 0.0000 PV 90 87.530 300046 0.1304 24.553 0.1741 0.0000 VV 91 87.893 382295 0.1661 25.603 0.1815 0.0000 VV 92 88.107 224523 0.0975 21.631 0.1534 0.0000 VV 93 88.397 717983 0.3119 37.094 0.2630 0.0000 VV 94 89.010 518852 0.2254 22.242 0.1577 0.0000 VV 95 89.237 307090 0.1334 21.551 0.1528 0.0000 VV 96 89.473 302635 0.1315 19.158 0.1358 0.0000 VV 97 90.007 4050733 1.7598 326.533 2.3150 0.0000 VV 98 91.020 376589 0.1636 16.743 0.1187 0.0000 VV 99 91.427 152969 0.0665 11.423 0.0810 0.0000 VV 100 91.543 205346 0.0892 11.033 0.0782 0.0000 VV 101 92.013 142333 0.0618 11.613 0.0823 0.0000 VV 102 92.157 268901 0.1168 11.479 0.0814 0.0000 VV 103 92.633 124915 0.0543 8.073 0.0572 0.0000 VV 104 93.083 908307 0.3946 88.376 0.6266 0.0000 VV 105 93.590 210904 0.0916 15.423 0.1093 0.0000 VV 106 94.063 323059 0.1404 22.173 0.1572 0.0000 VV 107 94.547 63428 0.0275 3.102 0.0220 0.0000 VV 108 95.123 29222 0.0127 2.059 0.0146 0.0000 VP 109 95.963 45135 0.0196 2.967 0.0210 0.0000 VP 110 98.950 58309 0.0253 3.644 0.0258 0.0000 VP 111 100.273 20525 0.0089 0.713 0.0051 0.0000 PP 112 105.563 38299 0.0166 1.804 0.0128 0.0000 PP 113 112.263 55710 0.0242 1.468 0.0104 0.0000 PP 114 126.417 44605 0.0194 0.861 0.0061 0.0000 PP total 230177556 14105.03 0.0000

The following Analysis Examination and Pharmacology Examination demonstrate that according to the elements and functions of the concentrated product of the invention's cultured Zang Zhi fruiting body, its major elements include triterpenoid compounds, water-soluble polysaccharides and chitin.

Water Soluble Polysaccharides

Examination by the Food Analysis Center in Japan revealed that solid Zang Zhi fruiting body obtained by the invention's culture method contains a high volume of water soluble polysaccharides; each 100 g fruiting body having 1.2 to 6.5 g of water soluble polysaccharides.

Content of Heavy Metals

Atomic Spectrum Analysis made by the Mircoanalysis Laboratory of Atomic Science Department of National Ching Hwa University reveals the invention's solid-cultured Zang Zhi has a content of heavy metals as follows:

Na: 48.7 ppm Mn: 10.9 ppm Cd: ND Mg: 767 ppm Fe: 100 ppm Cr: ND Al: 41.6 ppm Zn: 16.4 ppm Ca: 605 ppm As: ND K: 0.560% Hg: ND Total Antioxidant Activity

A comparison among one gram of the concentrated powder of the invention's solid Zang Zhi substance, the powder of wild Zang Zhi, and the concentrated powder of Ganderma sp. reveals their equivalent of the number of micrograms of Vitamin C as follows:

Content of one gram powder/ equivalent to the number of Source micrograms of Vitamin C Powder of wild Zang Zhi  633 ug ascorbic acid/g Concentrated Powder of Ganderma sp.  854 ug ascorbic acid/g Concentrated Powder of the invention's 1180 ug ascorbic acid/g solid Zang Zhi substance

The result shows that the total antioxidant activity of the invention's solid Zang Zhi substance is far higher than that of the fruiting body of wild Zang Zhi and that of Ganderma sp.

Toxicity Test

According to the experiment of the acute oral toxicity test LD50, the tested mice were each fed with 2,000 mg/kg of the solid powder of the invention's Zang Zhi, while the other mice were fed with the specially distilled water as control. The results show that the tested mice neither act abnormally nor die. Hence, the volume of the acute oral toxicity test LD50 is higher than 2000 mg/kg.

Ames Test

Under the Ames test, the invention's Zang Zhi is examined by the plate mixed assay. Five tested bacterial isolates are Salmonella tiyphimurium TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535. Each isolate is under five concentrations analysis of 312.5, 625, 1250, 2500 and 5000 ug/plate, respectively. Coincidentally, a negative control group and a positive control group specific to bacterial isolate are included, and each group is triplicate. Test results show that negative control group falls in the acceptable range, and positive control group reflects an increase of mutant bacterial colonies. Whether or not the bacterial isolates are treated under big mouse liver enzyme metabolic system (S9), all tested concentrates do not show an obvious increase of colonies of Ames tested isolates, as shown in table 4.

TABLE 4 Salmonella typhimurium Ames Test Test Target Test examples Feed dosage × Period Test result Salmonella Five mutant tested concentration Whether under big typhimurium isolates required (ug/plate) mouse liver enzyme Histidine of 312.5, 625, 1250, 2500 and metabolic system (S9) TA97, TA98, 5000 plate mixed assay for or not, all tested TA100, TA102 triplicate. The assay was concentrations show and TA1535 under constant temperature no significant increase 37 ± 1° C. for 48–72 hours, of Ames test mutant and the mutant colonies calculated. colonies. Test result is negative. Anti-Lipid Peroxidation Ability Test

Anti-lipid peroxidation ability and anti free radical ability of the solid cultured Zang Zhi solid concentrate was tested, by the lipid peroxidation in mouse brain homogenization solution. Mouse brain homogenization solution exposed to an oxidative stress was stimulated by Fe²⁺ introduction and induced the kinetics of generation of lipid-derived free radical. FIG. 2 shows that while increasing the concentration of triple and 8 fold the invention's Zang Zhi solid substance concentrate, it has a trend to inhibit lipid peroxidation and reduce the generation of free radical.

Protection of Liver Function Experiment

An experimental model using carbon tetrachloride to cause slow damage to the liver of a mouse to discover the effect of different concentrates of Zang Zhi on the slow damage to a mouse liver was established. Twenty-four mice (ICR strain) are divided into 4 groups as shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Zang Zhi Test Dosage and Animal Group Division Group Carbon Tetrachloride Dosage Dosage No. of Mice A 0(control) 0(control) 6 B 40% CCl₄/olive oil 0(control) 6 (0.3 mg/100 g BW) C As above 50 mg(triple)/Kg 6 D As above 50 mg(8 fold)/Kg 6

The mice of Groups A and B to D were under a hypodermic injection of olive oil (0.1 ml/100 g BW), and 40% of CCl₄/Olive oil (0.3 ml/100 g BW) twice a week. The mice of Groups A and D were fed with physiological saline through a stomach tube, while the mice of Groups C and D were fed with two different dosages of extract of the invention's cultured Zang Zhi for five weeks. Then, the eyepit blood of all mice was collected to examine the biochemical measurement related to liver function. After that, the tested mice were sacrificed and the largest liver leaf was taken out to proceed with the hitopathogenic observation, such as damage to the liver cells, change of lipid, necrosis, cellulose and degree of these changes, and so on. Biochemical tests include activities of GTP and GOT, which are conducted according to the standards of International Clinic Chemistry. The experimental results show that GTP and GOT in the blood of a mouse liver damaged by carbon tetrachloride obviously increased after five weeks. GTP of about 850 units is 20–22 fold above the normal, and GOT of about 1700 units is 40–42 fold above the normal (FIG. 3–4). In addition, mice fed with triple and eight fold of concentrated extract of the invention's Zang Zhi have the capacity to inhibit the increase of GTP and GOT induced by CCl₄. Particularly, when the GTP and GOT approach the peak, the triple concentrated extract can inhibit the increase of GTP by 37% and the increase of GOT by 65%.

When comparing the liver tissue of a normal mouse with the liver tissue of the mouse fed on CCl₄ after six weeks, the liver tissue treated with CCl₄ conspicuously shows tumefacient and gray rough surface. However, the liver tissue of the mouse fed on different concentrated Zang Zhi extracts shows no tumefacient and gray rough surface. Besides, by staining, one can see the pile of lipid granules, the tumid liver cells around the middle vein, macrophage and other irritated white blood cells infiltrating the liver cell space, and partial necrosis cells showing nodular transformation. However, the liver tissue of the mouse fed on different concentrated Zang Zhi extracts has no pathogenic changes as described above.

Table 6 shows the semi-quantification analysis of pathogenic mouse liver tissue. N represents the normal group, D represents CCl₄ damaged group, X3 represents the group fed on triple concentrated extract, X8 represents the group fed on eight fold concentrated extract. It is proved that the concentrated Zang Zhi extract can significantly improve the pathogenic changes.

TABLE 6 Semi-Quantification Analysis of Mouse Pathogenic Liver Tissue Cell necrosis Inflammation Fat Local Cosecutive Tuberous Biliary of liVer degeneration necrosis necrosis transformation Proliferation Calcification N 0 0 0–1 0 0 0 0 D 2–3 2–3 2 2 0–1 1 0–1 X3 1 1–2 0–1 1–2 0–1 0–1 0–1 X8 0–1 0–1 0–1 1 0 0–1 0–1

Cancer Cells Inhibition Experiment

The Food Industry Research and Development Institute is entrusted to conduct an experiment to find out how the Zang Zhi solid cultured concentrate of this invention can inhibit cell growth of cervix cancer (HeLa), stomach cancer (AGS), breast cancer (MCF-7), liver cancer (HepG2), bowel cancer (COLO 320 HSR), etc. The results of cell growth inhibition are shown in Table 7. The Zang Zhi solid cultured concentrate of this invention can significantly inhibit the growth of tumor cells (up to 75% to 87%), especially the cells of breast cancer.

TABLE 7 Results of Cancer Cell Inhibition by Extract of Solid Cultured Zang Zhi Rate of Cell Growth Inhibition (%) Cancer Cell Lines Average (%) ± SD Hela 83 ± 3.1 AGS 84 ± 2.7 HepG2 75 ± 2.4 MCF-7 87 ± 1.4 *The final concentration of the tested sample is 10% of the original concentration.

In addition, an experiment is conducted to find out the results of inhibiting bowel cancer growth by using 5 powder specimens (New1, New2, New3, New4 and New5), 11 liquid specimens (20L, New2, New3, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526 and 527) as well as their 1:10 specimen dilution by microculture tetrazolium assay. The results as shown in FIG. 5 reveal that in the final concentration 1/10 of stock solution can at least inhibit 30% of cancer cell growth, and the specimen 20L can inhibit the growth of cancer cells up to 90%.

Analysis of Chromosome Mutation in Vitro

Further, an analysis of chromosome configuration mutation in vitro was conducted to treat Chinese hamster ovary cells with the invention's Zang Zhi. The cells at middle mitosis were analyzed to observe and measure the frequency of abnormal chromosomes. Analysis of the configuration mutation of chromosome can estimate the ability of the invention's Zang Zhi to damage the cellular chromosome. Three treatments are given as follows: the first treatment is to add the invention's Zang Zhi to treat the cells for three hours, without adding the active mouse liver enzymes system (S9); the second one is to add S9 to treat the cells for 3 hours; and the third one is to treat the cells without adding S9 for 20 hours. All tested Zang Zhi concentrations under these three treatments cause no increase of the frequency of chromosomal configuration mutation. The experimental results are shown in the following Table 8.

TABLE 8 Analysis of Chromosomal Configuration Mutation Experimental Experimental Target Examples Feed Period Result Chinese Inoculate each The tested concentrations Results of the third group hamster ovary 60 mm cell of the first and second under treatment reveal cells; ATCC, cultured plate groups are 0, 312.5 625, that treatment of Chinese repository No. according to the 1250, 2500 and 5000 ug/ml. hamster ovary cells with CCL-61 tested The tested concentrations the invention's Zang Zhi, CHO-KI concentrations; of the third groups are 0, before or after metabolic each 30, 100, 1000, and 3000 ug/ml. activities, does not show concentration has After culture under significant increase of the two plates; these different conditions, cells frequency of samples are with scattered uniformly chromosomal divided into 18–21 chromosomes are configuration mutation of three groups selected for observation. Chinese hamster ovary according to the cells. different The experimental result is treatments. negative.

The clastogenicity of the invention's Zang Zhi in the animal body was examined. Further, the risk estimation of human hereditary toxicity was made according to the formation of micronuclei in reticular mouse red blood cells. Twenty-five mice were divided into 5 groups in this experiment. Analysis of the micronuclei reveals that the reaction of invention's Zang Zhi to circumference blood micronuclei of mouse is negative.

TABLE 9 Analysis of Micronuclei in Animal Body Experimental Experimental Target Samples Feed period Experimental Results ICR mouse Samples are: 1^(st)–4^(th) groups of 1. There is no difference between 1. Solvent mice respectively tested dosage group and solvent control group were fed on 0, 500, control group. 2. High 1000, 2000 mg/Kg 2. The rate of reticular red blood dosage control dosage; cell analysis proves that high group Mice of positive dosage would not be toxic to 3. Medium control group were mouse marrow. dosage control fed on 1.0 mg/Kg 3. There is no tendency of group MMC. dosage reaction to micronuclei 4. Low dosage The blood was rate and the comparison of the control group collected and the control group shows no 5. Positive reticular red blood significant increase. Thus control group cells were observed analysis of the reaction of 6. Each group under fluorescent micronuclei of mouse has five mice. microscopy. circumference blood to Zang Zhi shows negative reaction.

According to the pharmacological data described above, the invention's solid Zang Zhi substance not only possesses active constituents similar to wild Zang Zhi, for example, polysaccharide and tertripoid, but also possess the same function of anti-lipid peroxidation, anti-free radicals and anti-oxidation. Besides, the invention's solid Zang Zhi substance possesses the function to protect the liver and fight against cancer.

While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to its preferred embodiments, the principles and modes of operation of the invention have also been described in this specification. The invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular forms disclosed, which are illustrative rather than restrictive. Modifications, variations, and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for culturing Antrodia camphorata comprising: (a) culturing spawn of a wild-type fungus of Antrodia camphorata in a bag containing a medium comprising 10–70 wt % of a celluloytic substance, 10–30 wt % of a starch, 5–15 wt % of a millet, 1–10 wt % of a saccharide, 0.5–2 wt % of a phosphate and 0.1–1 wt % of a sulfite salt at a relative humidity of 60–80 wt %, the medium having a neutral pH, the culturing being carried out at a temperature of 5–32° C. in an atmosphere comprising 0.1–1 vol % carbon dioxide for a period sufficient to grow mycelium from the spawn; (b) removing the medium from the bag; (c) exposing the removed medium to air and maintaining the removed medium in the air for a period of days sufficient to form a solid fruiting body, said removed medium being maintained in the air at a temperature which differs between days and nights with the removed medium being maintained during the days at a temperature between 20° and 30° C. and during the nights at a temperature of 10–12° C., wherein the humidity of the air is between 90–95% and the air contains less than 1 vol % of carbon dioxide; and (d) recovering the solid fruiting body.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medium removed in step (c) is maintained during the days at a temperature that is 15° C. higher than the temperature during the nights.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solid fruiting body is of conoid shape and is about 10–30 cm in diameter, 15–30 cm in height and 0.2–0.6 kg in weight.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cellulolytic substance is mushroom.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the starch is potato.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the millet is rice bran.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the culturing in step (a) is carried out for a period of 50–80 days.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the removed medium is maintained in the air for the period of 20–50 days.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bag comprises 65 wt % of stems, stalks or fruits of a grass plant of cellulolytic spelk, 20 wt % of potato, 10 wt % of rice bran, 3.5 wt % of glucose, 1 wt % of potassium phosphate and 0.5 wt % of magnesium sulfate.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the culturing in step (a) is carried out at a temperature of 50° C. to 28° C.
 11. The method according to claim 2, wherein the culturing in step (a) is carried out at a temperature of 28° C.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the culturing in step (a) is carried out at a humidity of 60–80%.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the removed medium is maintained in humid air having a humidity of 90–95%.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the humid air has less than 1 vol % of carbon dioxide.
 15. The method according to claim 1, comprising, prior step (a), the step of multiplying the spawn.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the spawn are multiplied by a liquid culture fermentation.
 17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising grinding the solid fruiting body recovered in step (d) to form small pieces and then homogenizing the small pieces with water or alcohol to form a concentrated liquid.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the concentrated liquid is dehydrated to form a dry powder.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the powder is wetted and then dried to form granules.
 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) is carried out in moving air. 